Dickens gets `film noir' treatment

Dateline: mid-winter 1940. A mean and petty gangster has refused to celebrate Christmas out of "respect" for his dead partner who perished in a gunfight seven years before. The partner was known as Marley. The gangster is a grumpy old misanthrope by the name of Ebenezer Scrooge . . . Ghosts, graveyard rumblings and a psychotic leprechaun hitman are the main characters in a debut production by Third Eye, Galway's latest theatre company, which opens tonight in the Town Hall. Directed by Ciaron Davies, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge promises to be a hilarious adaptation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

Davies, who has been involved with companies like Razor Edge of Wexford, Fodhla of Limerick and Banshee of Dingle, believes the Dickens tale has all the ingredients of classical film noir. Third Eye is supported by the Galway office of The Big Issue, and has borrowed many of the publication's vendors for its productions. The new company intends to create "rich and powerful drama of significant historical and cultural importance", and aims to "nurture and enhance new talent, building on the imaginative skills of its participants". The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge runs until Monday, December 15th, in the Town Hall Theatre Studio, Galway, at 8 p.m.

Further out in the county, emerging artists are exhibiting their work in Portumna, Co Galway, for the week approaching Christmas. Wood-turning, basketry, ceramics, woodcarvings, photography and iron and stone sculptures will be on display at the 1997 Shannon Region Arts and Craft Show from December 12th to 19th.

There will be Christmas carols and chamber music, while traditional, folk and poetry groups will also perform. The craft show hosts are Irish Countryside Care, Galway Rural Development and FAS. The opening is 8 p.m. on Friday, and admission is free every day from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Further details can be obtained from Marie at Irish Countryside Care, Patrick Street, Portumna (0509-41710).